Trump Administration & Federal Government

We track federal legislation, budgets, policies, events and other issues with the aid of our Trump Administration & Federal Government Working Group. Each week, this team of volunteers shares news stories, research and other information on the federal government, discusses which items are ripe for action, and writes calls to action (C2As) that inform others and offer suggested actions. Members volunteer about an hour a week–a little more if they are writing that week’s call to action–and conduct their business via a closed Facebook page. Our C2As are distributed to 15,000-20,000 Mainers each week via our email list, our member forum and our partnerships with other regional and state groups. You can read some of our most recent C2As below.

If these topics are important to you and you have an hour or two to spare over an entire week, please email us at suitupmaine@gmail.com about joining our Trump Administration & Federal Government Working Group!

Despite 13 new indictments against Russian operatives, Trump still refuses to implement sanctions against Russia, undermines investigations into their interference, and offers no plan to prevent them from doing it again.QUICK ACTION: Demand that Congress defend our country by forcing the president to implement sanctions, approving bills to protect Mueller’s investigation, and crafting a defense plan.

All four immigration proposals voted on by the Senate failed, and the future of DACA remains uncertain as Trump propels us towards a third government shutdown.QUICK ACTION: Learn how our Senators voted on each plan and what new ones could be in the pipeline, attend a Portland vigil in support of DREAMers, and make sure our MoC stay focused on finding a DACA solution before the March 5 deadline.

Four of Trump’s most extremist nominees to LIFETIME judicial appointments face imminent votes in the Senate.QUICK ACTION: Call and email Senators Collins and King and demand that they oppose Kyle Duncan, Thomas Farr, Matthew Kacsmaryk, and Howard Nielson.

Trump eliminated the DACA program and his incoherent and racist policy positions are propelling the government toward a second shutdown. Bipartisan bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that can resolve the crisis. QUICK ACTION: Speak out publicly in support of DACA, and tell your MoC: no more delays. Support the bipartisan “Phase One” bills and solve the DACA crisis before their time runs out.

Trump has already tried once to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and efforts to discredit the investigation have reached a fever pitch. A national rapid response effort is planned should Trump succeed in firing Mueller, with protest locations prepared all over Maine. QUICK ACTION: Find the location nearest you, and demand that our MoC co-sponsor legislation to protect Mueller’s investigation.

We await word on a Senate vote to end the government shut down, expected at noon on Monday. It appears Senator Collins is playing a key role in bringing a bipartisan groups of senators together to find common ground.Stay tuned for an update after the vote!

Economists say the GOP tax bill will increase overall federal taxes for 80% of Mainers. Collins and Poliquin voted for it anyway. QUICK ACTION: Call and email Collins and Poliquin and submit letters to the editor to voice your disapproval and gear up for a budget fight in January.

Republicans have reached an agreement on the GOP Tax Scam worth $1.5 trillion in giveaways mostly to the rich. A vote is expected next week.QUICK ACTION: Brush up on the latest talking points, attend a tax scam event near you, and keep up the pressure on Susan Collins to let her know that her constituents are overwhelmingly opposed to both bills.

The FCC voted to rescind net neutrality regulations that protect our internet freedom. Maine has joined 16 other states in suing the FCC to defend these protections. Congress will need to determine a legislative fix. Stay tuned, we are following closely!

Every day that Congress fails to pass a clean DREAM Act, 122 young immigrants lose their DACA protection and become exposed to deportation. QUICK ACTION: Contact your reps and tell them “NO CLEAN DREAM ACT, NO BUDGET!” and to get to work on passing S. 1615 in the Senate and H.R. 3440 in the House.

Suit Up Maine is an all-volunteer grassroots group of Mainers who work to raise awareness of and advocate for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. We are beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians, and we aren’t engaged in fundraising. Suit Up Maine fosters collaboration among our state’s progressive groups and organizations to collectively connect, educate, and motivate Mainers to rise in non-violent resistance to a regressive agenda.